Describes a study that identified factors that nontraditional and traditional completers of vocational education programs perceived as barriers in obtaining their vocational goals. Concludes that many school-related problems remain, and makes recommendations for further research. (NRJ)

Businesses in South Dakota were surveyed to gauge employers' perceptions of vocational education, to determine the extent of private sector interaction with vocational education, and to document employers' experiences with vocationally trained and nonvocationally trained employees. The statistically valid random sample consisted of 347 small…

This report documents findings of a survey of attitudes of business toward vocational education in South Dakota. Chapter I discusses the purpose of the study. Chapter II describes the procedures followed in collecting data from employers. It documents all steps from questionnaire design to data entering and concludes with a presentation of…

This document contains a compilation of original manuscripts written by competent authorities in the field of job placement services for students. Viewing placement as both a product and an integral part of a developmental process, these papers are divided into the following six topical areas: (1) information, (2) exploration, (3) counseling, (4)…

This report summarizes the followup and evaluation component of a project to establish and assess the effect of a mobile career exploration center in the rural school systems of the Des Moines Area Community College District. Methodology involved comparing the experimental group of 223 students who participated in the career exploration program…

A study attempted to determine the stability of the occupational aspirations of young adults, using data from the High School and Beyond study. (Data for that study had been gathered from seniors who graduated from high school in 1980 and were followed up in 1982, 1984, and 1986). About 9,400 subjects were used in the descriptive research.…

The study was conducted in Texas on a sample of 778 students to develop a process for administrative decision-making related to modifying or redirecting educational programs through collection and analysis of followup data obtained by questionnaires sent to former students. The document deals with a comparison of former students who took…

To identify and describe secondary vocational education programs that have been successful in increasing the total placement rate when compared with other courses of instruction, 445 programs were selected through a literature search, mail and telephone inquiries, personal contacts, and other means. The evaluation of each program was studied,…

The present status of information on employer satisfaction with former secondary level vocational education students, as well as current methods being used to collect employer data, are reviewed. The kind and quality of information appear to be closely related to the methodology employed. (Author)

A study to identify the influence of vocational education on an individual's underemployment analyzed data from a Taiwan labor use survey conducted in May 1993. Data were restricted to 9,415 respondents who were currently employed, aged 20-65, and not in the army; who had participated in general or vocational high school education; and for whom…

A follow-up study was conducted of a 20 percent sample of secondary schools (77) and administrators in Iowa who had students who completed or left vocational programs during the 1984-85 school year. A student follow-up surveyed 1,945 students, and 153 employers were queried. Information was sought through a mailed survey. Student responses were…

Reports findings from a study conducted in Alabama to compare the validity of two sources of follow-up data for secondary agribusiness program completors, from vocational agriculture teachers, and from the former students. Includes recommendations for similar periodical studies and for teacher education programs. (MF)

A longitudinal survey of 100 Alabama distributive education graduates from the class of 1972 covered employment status, earnings, and relationship of training to current job. Findings indicate that over 89 percent of graduates were employed full time in 1982 and over 71 percent had jobs related to their training. (CH)

The authors outline the purpose and scope of the Penn State Vocational Development Study, and discuss the value of such longitudinal research in understanding career-related behavior and improving vocational guidance. (SK)

Follow-up of vocational students can be used not only to fulfill federal requirements but also to improve the quality of vocational programs and increase cooperation between various agencies. The authors studied over 160 follow-up systems and have included recommendations for improvement. (Author)